Our Team

Compass is a team of all stars united by their passion for winning. Outcomes aren’t guaranteed but hard work, experience and past results are terrific indicators of future performance.

Maze Jackson

Maze Jackson has spent the previous 15 years as Founder/President/CEO of Universal MazJac Enterprises, Inc. a full service urban advertising, marketing, and promotions agency. Maze’s specialty was creating urban marketing initiatives that focused on translating urban trends into sales opportunities for his corporate and governmental clients, including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Disney, and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Over the past 10 years, in addition to running his own agency, Maze has also become a noted campaign “fixer” and political strategist, working on some of the most challenging campaigns, from local to statewide races. Recognized as one of the sharpest young political minds in Illinois, Maze has a penchant for winning difficult and challenging campaigns, clearly identifying the path to victory, developing the strategy, and executing the tactics needed to ensure victory. Most recently, Maze served as Statewide Field Director for Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, and was widely recognized as one of the key components to victory.

Maze also spent 5 years in corporate America, serving as the Director of Urban Marketing for Montgomery, Zukerman, and Davis where he oversaw the marketing budget of the Coca-Cola Bottling Companies of Chicago, Wisconsin, and Indiana. While with MZD, Maze was credited with developing marketing initiatives that generated $60 million in incremental sales and was featured in Advertising Age for his pioneering accomplishments in the field of urban marketing.

Maze grew up in “The Brook” (as Bolingbrook is affectionately known) a suburb of Chicago. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and currently resides in Chicago. Maze counts cooking, Fantasy Football, and photography as his hobbies.

Maze is the proud father of two, Milan (daughter) and Mazonne Jr. (son).

 

Mike Noonan

Michael Noonan, a self-described political junkie, has been working campaigns for the last 15 years beginning with his work for congressional candidate Clem Balanoff. Although, that race was ultimately unsuccessful, a young Mike proved his mettle to Mr. Balanoff who passed on a good word for Mike to the Speaker of Illinois’ House of Representatives. Working on the Speaker’s staff Mike was instrumental in helping the Speaker pass his legislative agenda, and in helping democrats when tough political campaigns. Mike is also proud of his job as Lisa Madigan’s campaign manager, helping Lisa become the first female Illinois Attorney General.

Eventually, Mike decided to try his hand in the private sphere working for the Government Affairs division of the international law firm Greenberg Traurig. There Mike met Victor Reyes with whom he started the Roosevelt Group lobbying firm. Mike concentrates in the area of governmental relations, but has run successful public affairs campaigns including a Smart Energy Fair for Commonwealth Edison.

Mike grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago. Mike attended college at American University in Washington D.C. and spent two years in the Mississippi Delta working for Habitat for Humanity, before ultimately returning home to his native Chicago.

Mike, a fanatical Chicago Bears fan, also enjoys cooking, music, and golf.

 

Victor Reyes

Victor began his career as an assistant to former Mayor Daley, ultimately rising to the position of Director of Intergovernmental Affairs where he was responsible for implementing the Mayor’s agenda in the city council, state legislature, and Congress. After a 10 year career in the public sector, Victor entered the private sector, leaving the Mayor’s Office to lead the governmental affairs section of the international law firm, Greenberg Taurig.

After accumulating experience in both the public and private sectors Victor decided to strike out on his own starting the Reyes Bonoma law firm, now Reyes Bonoma Kurson, and The Roosevelt Group lobbying firm with Greenberg Taurig coworker and Compass principal Michael Noonan. Victor is thus able to offer clients a wide variety of services including the legal services necessary for a successful facility-siting project, and the government relations skills to put influential government stakeholders on your side. He has been named a leading lawyer amongst his peers in the areas of Governmental, Municipal, Lobbying and Administrative Law.

Victor, a native of Mexico, spends his free time with his three children and wife.

 

Brittany Bindrim

Brittany brings a compelling vision and an innovative design sense to Compass Public Affairs. On a full tuition scholarship, she graduated from The University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. Before joining Compass, she served as art director for Buzz Magazine and designed for a Chicago environmental design firm. Brittany has worked with a wide range of clients, including holistic healthcare centers, restaurants and record labels; for which she has received numerous awards for her design and fine art. Brittany's design talent, detailed illustration, identity marketing capabilities and fastidious attention to typography allow her to create unique and creative work in both print and web-based media.

When Brittany is not slaving over her artwork, she is writing and performing with her band I:Scintilla.

 

Travis Brooks

Travis A. Brooks is an operational consultant who has experience in Chicago politics from a grass roots level working for the Association for Community Reform Now (ACORN) to bring much needed change to distressed neighborhoods in the city of Chicago as well as campaign experience working as the city wide petition coordinator, volunteer outreach coordinator and manager of the North and South side offices for the Carol Moseley Braun mayoral campaign. In addition, Travis has experience in business, working in the healthcare field for seven years. Prior to his desire to pursue a career in political consulting, Travis served as the Sr. Financial Analyst for Abdominal Transplant at Rush Medical Center, where he was responsible for and over saw a 7.5 million dollar budget, the collection of approximately $650,000 in research revenue, creation of policies and procedures to support the re-organization and revenue enhancement to the Medicare Cost Report and the management and oversight of 8 hospital and medical practice cost centers.

His experience also includes strategy and process improvement, the advising and counseling on productivity measures, process and policy creation and mentorship services.

Travis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama, an MPA from the Roosevelt University School of Government and Public Policy with a focus in governmental affairs and an MBA from the Walter E. Heller College of Business at Roosevelt University with a focus on Management and operational improvement. Travis works tirelessly to see to it that clients are satisfied and works to establish lasting relationships moving forward.

Travis, a resident of Wicker Park is engaged to his girlfriend of 4 years and enjoys reading, writing, football, basketball and action sports.

 

James Robinson

A recent cum laude graduate of the John Marshall Law School, James was sworn into the Illinois Bar in November. During his time at John Marshall, James served as Student Publications Editor on the John Marshall Law Review. In addition, he has spent time as a Supreme Court Rule 711 law clerk for the Cook County State’s Attorney, appearing before multiple judges to argue felony preliminary hearings in both Chicago’s South and North sides, and writing an appellate brief. James also externed with a Federal judge.

James’s interest in politics drove him to the campaign of 11th District State Representative Ann Williams where he ascended through the ranks from volunteer to deputy campaign manager. After helping Representative Williams win her House seat, James joined our team at the Roosevelt Group to make his interest in politics a full time career. While he concentrates on government relations, James will use the editing skills he developed at John Marshall and the quick thinking skills he acquired in Cook County courtrooms to edit and produce remarkable work products.

A glutton for punishment, during tax seasons James spends his free time providing free income tax assistance to low income tax filers, and regularly works out with a trainer at his local gym.

 

Tenille Brooks

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications and a Masters of Education in Human Resources Development with a concentration in Organizational Development and Training from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Tenille began her professional career as an Office Manager / Director of Enrollment and Executive Assistant for the Director of Schools for the state of Illinois’ largest charter school.

During that time, Tenille realized her passion and ability for managing large scale events and clients, so she took a position with Universal MazJac Enterprises, Inc. an urban marketing advertising and promotions agency. Tenille climbed the ranks of the company, managing urban marketing campaigns for major clients such as Power 92, Coca-Cola, Sprite, McDonalds, Illinois Department of Transportation and Disney on Ice. The bulk of Tenille’s urban marketing experience and accomplishments comes from her management of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus account in 32 cities across the country and serving as Project Manager for the Illinois Department of Transportation Dan Ryan Art Wall Project. Tenille also hired and managed a staff of over 200 to provide marketing and promotions services at the Bud Billiken Day Parade, the country’s largest African-American parade.

It was for these corporate and non profit clients that Tenille became known for planning and executing successful large scale events. She never turns down a chance to brag about executing B.I.G. Night Out at Jay Z’s 40/40 club in New York City for the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus! We partnered a great event for a great cause with a wonderful brand at a well known venue of one of the most popular entertainers of our time!

Tenille who lives with her husband and daughter in Chicago, has a passion for Balloon Art. She is currently studying to receive her CBA (Certified Balloon Artist).

 

Matt Sanchez

Matt comes to Compass Public Relations having helped work on campaigns across the State of Illinois and City of Chicago. In his last campaign, Matt helped David Gonzalez become the first elected Latino Mayor of Chicago Heights. Matt also brings experience in working with Metra, and ComEd on outreach campaigns. Before coming to Compass, Matt received his Bachelor’s Degree in Politics and Government from Illinois State University. When Matt is not involved in politics he enjoys taking in the sights and sounds of the City of Chicago.

 

Keith Caldwell

Keith Caldwell has 23 years of experience with marketing, political and public affairs campaigns.

In 1988 Keith joined the Marketing Lab, a special events boutique, started by former members of Chicago’s Mayor’s Office of Special Events. There he created print and radio advertisements and managed promotions for special events such as the Taste of Austin, Taste of Chicago, Jazz Fest, Gospel Fest and numerous Chicago Park District events. Keith also served as a staffer on the City of Chicago’s City Council Committee on Budget, specializing in housing issues.

Since then, Keith has been providing clients, including local elected officials, corporations and non profits, expertise in the areas of graphic design, website development, network architecture, systems maintenance / help desk, marketing, promotions and political consulting. Most recently, Keith completed the marketing on a 100% occupied - $20 million senior community, and has been retained to complete the next 3 projects in Chicago.

Keith is a graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Illinois Institute of Technology.